GRADUATION MILESTONE

April 2025, De Aar Solar Power.

After more than two years of intensive study, two dedicated ECD practitioners from the Pixley ka Seme municipal district, Siphokazi Jack and Suney Mouton, were awarded their NQF Level 4 Further Education and Training Certificate in Early Childhood Development.

“Our ECD Practitioner Training Programme aims to build capacity among local practitioners, ensuring that children receive high-quality early childhood education, which is fundamental for their long-term success,” said Thandaza Teka, Economic Development Specialist for De Aar Solar Power, funders of this training programme.

By supporting the professional development of practitioners, the solar plant is actively contributing to the long-term improvement of early education in the Northern Cape. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of empowering local educators and ensuring that children across the province receive the best possible start to their educational journey.

“The training was really helpful for me because I have learned so much about the holistic development of children. The part about observation was especially valuable for understanding where a child may be lagging in a developmental milestone. Our centre has improved a lot thanks to the implementation of the programme, and I see daily how children develop, which inspires me most about teaching,” said Siphokazi Jack, one of the graduates who works at Ikhaya Labantwana ECD Centre in De Aar.

The graduates were honoured at a special ceremony alongside nearly 100 other ECD practitioners across NQF Levels 4 and 5. The event was attended by representatives from the Premier’s Office, the Northern Cape Department of Education, and key stakeholders, further highlighting the importance of strengthening ECD across the province.

“Our goals for any community are development and progress for children and achieving skills and qualifications for the future workforce. Any business working within communities should align with these goals to enhance the knowledge and skills of young children in the Northern Cape,” concluded Mrs. Huldah Barnard, Director of Custoda Trust, the programme’s implementation partner.